Daily Archives: September 14, 2012

FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED IN DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT TODAY

Fire restrictions within Dinosaur National Monument have been lifted, as of today. According to monument authorities, the cooler weather and increased moisture have lessened the fire danger. However, monument visitors are still reminded to be cautious with fire as some areas may contain substantial amounts of dry vegetation. Fire danger remains high, and the potential for wildfire still exists, but with shorter days and higher humidity the risk for catastrophic fires lessens. Monument officials say campers should continue to use provided fire rings for their camp fires, and smoking should only be done in a cleared area.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS TO BE LIFTED ON BLM LAND IN COMING WEEKS

The Bureau of Land Management will also soon lift fire restrictions on public land in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties. Restrictions in Brown’s Park National Wildlife Refuge are lifted today. The rest of the BLM’s holdings in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties will see their restrictions lifted over the next couple of weeks. Rio Blanco County will rescind theirs next week, while Moffat County will rescind theirs the following week. Fire danger is still high in both counties, but BLM officials say it appears the worst is over.

DENVER AND WEST SLOPE WATER GROUPS COME TO AGREEMENT

Colorado’s largest water utility and more than 30 western slope providers are expected to begin implementing an agreement balancing the Denver-area’s demand for water with the needs of mountain communities as early as next month. According to a project spokesman a few more signatures are needed. Denver Water and nearly three dozen Western Slope water users announced the proposal last year. Eagle County and its water districts became the first to sign in February. Under the deal, Denver Water will contribute $25 million to western Colorado projects and limit its service area. In return, the signers won’t oppose Denver Water’s proposal to expand Gross Reservoir.

YAMPA VALLEY CRANE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN HAYDEN AND STEAMBOAT

The Yampa Valley Crane Festival starts Sunday. Events will be held in Steamboat and Hayden. They include viewing Greater Sandhill Cranes, children’s programs, films, a photography workshop, an art show, and expert talks about cranes. The keynote speaker will be Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation. All programs are free and open to the public. The Festival takes place Sunday through Wednesday. For a more detailed schedule, click here.

TIPTON HELPS PASS STOLEN VALOR ACT OF 1012

Congressman Scott Tipton has helped pass the Stolen Valor Act of 2012 through the House of Representatives. The act makes it illegal to falsely claim to be a recipient of a military decoration or medal for material gain. A former similar law was struck down because it didn’t specify whether the offender was using the claim for personal gain. The measure passed the House 410 to 3. Tipton says it’s deplorable that someone would portray themselves as a decorated veteran for personal gain, and he was more than happy to cast his vote for the measure. Violators of the Stolen Valor Act face fines and up to a year in prison.

LAWMAKERS URGE FEDERAL HOUSING AGENCY TO RECONSIDER P.A.C.E. RULE

Democratic lawmakers, including Colorado’s Michael Bennet, are urging the Federal Housing Finance Agency to reconsider proposed regulations that could block programs to help homeowners finance energy efficiency upgrades from moving forward. A letter signed by several lawmakers recommends the adoption of a proposed alternative to a new rule that would allow PACE programs to move forward while protecting government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with rigorous underwriting criteria. The PACE financing concept was established by local communities to help homeowners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades by allowing property owners to borrow funds from participating local and state governments. Those funds are then repaid over a multi-year period through an assessment attached to their property tax payments. Recent actions taken by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which currently back the vast majority of mortgages, have created uncertainty that has led many counties and municipalities to suspend PACE financing to homeowners.

OBAMA TALKS IN GOLDEN, WHILE SUPPORTERS TURNED AWAY

President Barack Obama asked for another term during a campaign appearance in Golden yesterday, saying problems in the economy would take more than four years to correct. But outside the event, some 200 disappointed fans and curious neighbors were herded away from the packed event, which officials estimated had a crowd of about 8,400. One Obama supporter who was twice told to leave the park in downtown Golden said organizers should have set up a listening area for those not inside. Inside, Obama told the crowd he was the first sitting president since Ulysses Grant to visit Golden.

In high school sports:
Yesterday:
In Volleyball:
Hayden lost to Little Snake River Valley in 4 games (23-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-14).
Moffat County was defeated by Coal Ridge in 3 games (25-12, 25-7, 25-19).

In boys soccer:
Moffat County fell to Colorado Rocky Mountain 4-3.
Steamboat lost to Summit 1-0.

In boys golf:
Steamboat took 2nd at their own tournament.

Today:
In football:Soroco beat Plateau Valley 63-0Moffat County defeated Steamboat in a game heard live on KRAI and online at KRAI.COM 56-27
Hayden played at Rocky Mountain Lutheran at 7:30.
Rangely was at home against Nucla at 7.

In Volleyball:
Hayden goes to West Grand at 6.
Meeker plays at Plateau Valley at 6.
Rangely welcomes Soroco at 5.

In boys soccer:
Steamboat heads to Palisade at 6.

In boys golf:
Rangely hosts a tournament.

In cross country:
Moffat County and Steamboat run at Heritage.
Meeker goes to Grand Junction.

In high school rodeo:
Moffat County competes at Hotchkiss.

Tomorrow:
In football:
Little Snake River Valley goes to Guernsey-Sunrise at 3.

In volleyball:
Hayden is home against North Park at 1.
Moffat County heads to Basalt at 1.
Steamboat welcomes Summit at 1.
Meeker plays at Paonia at 1 and at Hotchkiss at 6.
Rangely hosts Vail Christian at 3.